Nova Scotians respond to NSLC taking on cannabis sales

The Nova Scotia government announced Thursday it would give the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation control over the sale of legal cannabis, and a number of people on social media are unhappy with the decision. 

Graham Steele, a former NDP finance minister, isn’t impressed with the government’s plan.

Graham said he learned a lot about the NSLC when he was the minister responsible for the liquor corporation during the NDP government of 2009-13.

“They do a good job, but sourcing, shipping, storing and retailing cannabis is a completely different thing,'” Steele told The Signal. “I think it’s a mistake to ask a pretty well-functioning and experienced organization to sell a completely different product.”

The province chose not to follow a federal recommendation to separate recreational cannabis from liquor sales, which social media users pointed out. 

They said cannabis and alcohol will be sold in the same locations, essentially next to one another. I agree there is a ways to go but it isn’t THAT much time. Gov’t could have chosen to go with separate stores, run by NSLC. Safer, and not much more in cost.

— Leah Batstone (@lcbatstone) December 7, 2017

NS releases plan for Cannabis and says it is the “safest way possible”. Despite being warned by health professionals and researchers against doing so, the province will sell cannabis in NSLC stores. #nspoli #cdnpoli https://t.co/Alx4bGdAuz

— Ross Grant (@Rossitus) December 7, 2017

Selling cannabis in NSLC stores is the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard of.

— pre-deceased amber (@seymour_trash) December 7, 2017

A maximum of 30 grams per person and four plants per household will be permitted in accordance with federal recommendations, when cannabis is legalized in July 2018. Adults aged 19 or older will have the right to buy cannabis from the liquor store and grow plants at home.

Diandra Phipps used to own the vegan restaurant EnVie, but now she works for National Access Cannabis. She says even though she supports legal cannabis for medicinal purposes, she says the province’s decision to sell cannabis with alcohol is irresponsible.

Some people are concerned about what this means for alcoholics, non-drinkers and people who use cannabis as medicine.

recreational cannabis sold in the NSLC, but i’m curious about the folks who use it medicinally, are they now to take their prescriptions to the NSLC?

— Stoo Metz (@StooMetz) December 7, 2017

And a few people made weed jokes.

I wonder how much “I don’t want to have to make two stops” factored into NS’s cannabis plan to sell in the NSLC.

— Seize The Means of Nog Production (@wcburns) December 7, 2017

A while ago, an NSLC employee told me “The lighter the beer, the hoppier it is,” so I can’t wait to hear the advice they give on cannabis. https://t.co/PxYDbdRqX8

— Trevor J. Adams (@HalifaxEditor) December 7, 2017

Next summer, anyone of legal age will be able to buy cannabis from the NSLC at their local stores or online.

Independent dispensaries that are illegal today will still be illegal when cannabis is legalized in July 2018.